The nervous system - peripheral nervous system - ch 12 Flashcards
Explain the main role of the peripheral nervous system?
To act as a communicator channel between the CNS and the body’s organs, glands and muscles and to sensory receptors in the limbs and the skin.
What two systems can the peripheral nervous system be divided into?
- somatic nervous system
2. autonomic nervous system
What does the somatic nervous system transmit?
communications relating to the senses
What is the somatic nervous system responsible for?
Managing voluntary body movements
What does the somatic nervous system consist of?
- 31 pairs of spinal nerves
2. 12 pairs of cranial nerves
Describe the role of the spinal nerves?
spinal nerves carry sensory impulses into and motor impulses out of the spinal cord.
How are spinal nerves named?
According to the vertebrae they are associated with
How many pairs of cervical nerves?
8 pairs
How many pairs of thoracic nerves?
12 pairs
How many pairs of lumbar nerves?
5 pairs
How many pairs of cervical nerves?
5 pairs
How many pairs of coccygeal nerves?
1 pair
Where do the nerves branch off from?
the spinal cord into the thorax, abdomen and extremities
What is the role of the cranial nerves?
to carry impulses into and out of the cerebrum or brain stem
Which nerves are named according to their function or structure and are designated by the roman numerals I-XII.
cranial nerves
Cranial nerves are associated with?….
- senses of smells
- sight
- hearing
- taste
- movement of eye muscles and tongue
- movement of muscles that control facial expression and chewing
The autonomic nervous system directs involuntary body functions; name the functions?
- respiration
- digestion
- urine production
- heartbeat
- blood pressure
What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?
- Creates emotional responses such as sweating and crying.
2. monitors internal bodily activities
What does the anatonomic nervous system do with the information gained from monitoring internal bodily activities?
ANS integrates it into the brain and then in response the ANS sends commands to involuntary smooth muscle in organs, glands and blood vessels.
Name two subsystems that the ANS has?
- sympathetic nervous system
2. parasympathetic nervous system
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?
SNS manages the bodys reaction to stress and emergencies
What happens when the SNS is activated?
- heart and breathing rate increases
- digestion slows or stops
- pupils dialate
- body begins to sweat
When the SNS is activated what is it called when the SNS responds and works to prepare the body to either fight danger or flee from it?
fight or flight response
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
to counteract the functions of the sympathetic nervous system
What action does the parasympathetic nervous system take when it counteracts the sympathetic nervous system?
- calms the body after the danger has passed
- heart and breathing returns to normal
- digestion resumes
- pupils contract
- sweating stops
